Watercolor on paper, showing a building called the Telescope House or the Steamboat House. It has a two-story octagonal center section, and two one-story wings; the center section has a cupola (also octagonal). The building has a frame construction, and is colored brown with ivory-white trim. A high fence extends across the front of the building. Various trees are visible behind the building. NOT FOUND IN BOX 0066, July 2023
The caption at the bottom reads "THE TELESCOPE HOUSE,--BUILT BY JOHN F. REMLEY. 1841-8/COLUMBIA AVN. & MARIETTA PIKE." The lower right corner has the date of the painting, "1881"
The building stood approximately where W. King and W. Orange Streets meet. The name "Telescope House" comes from the fact that the house used to have an observatory until the late 1800s, when the building was renovated and additional floors were added (prior to this painting).
J.W.W. Loose, The Heritage of Lancaster, pp.74-75.
Height (cm)
15.24
Height (ft)
0.5
Height (in)
6
Width (cm)
17.78
Width (ft)
0.5833333333
Width (in)
7
Dimension Details
Hinged within a window mat..
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2017-06-28
Condition Notes
There are numerous gray marks over the surface of the painting, and some areas of paint are faded. The reverse has glue stains on the corners, where the painting was apparently attached to a previous backing.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.11
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Lancaster County Historical Society Front Entrance
Description
Framed print (1/74) of a watercolor painting of the Lancaster County Historical Society building in 1974 done by Dan Bare. Sealing paper on back of frame is torn along top and sides where it is glued to the frame.
Oil on canvas of Christian Herr House (often called the Hans Herr House) with a man and a woman in front. Green hues with glossy finish. Three quarter inch wooden frame with rounded outer edge and lower inner border. Painted gold with recessed markings in a darker color.
Inscription: Signed lower right: "17-CHHR-19 Lancaster, H.P. Palmer 1926." Sticker on paper back: " Hans Herr House painted by H. P. Palmer" Below is label: "Christian Herr House Built 1719 Oldest house in our county"
On back of canvas on pencil script: "Hans Herr House 1719 Willow Street, Lancaster County Pa H.P. Palmer July , 1926"
VAP update: paper backing is loose in places and has acidified. Paper tape from previous repair has loosened. Behind is early 20th century calendar art of woman, dog and child in lamplight
VAP update: 9/1/2015 acidic backing replaced with acid free board. Original backings can be found in object file.
Painting: Pen & ink on board, Fair, under glass, backed by newspaper & wood slats, light staining & horizontal acid burn lines, some paper cockling, top banner collaged on.
Painting conservation needs: Remove from frame, humidify, flatten, deacidify, remount, bond to acid free backing, refit with spacers.
Frame: 3" wood frame with 1" gold liner, Good condition.
Frame conservation needs: Surface clean, minor touchup throughout.
This picture was taken in 1913. I paid 7 dollars 34 cents for it. I was 15 years & 3 months old when I enlisted in the year 1864 at which time it was first taken at Carlisle, Penna. John L. Hackman.
Oscar Hackman gave it to me Sarah E. Warner, Nov. 6, 1957. Oscar is 89 years old now [and in] April 1958 he will be 90 years. One son and one daughter of John and Sarah Hackman had. Oscar is John's son, Lizzie Stiner, sister of Oscar, [is] 85 years old 1957.
I was named after John's wife Sarah Elizabeth Neissinger Hackman. My grandma was Sarah's sister, Fiona Neissinger Hollinger. Oscar is the last of [the] family of Hackmans. I am on the Hollinger-Neissinger side of family. Great Aunt Sarah (?), Oscar's mother __ __ is also the discharge of 1865 of John L. Hackman here ___ time 1957.
